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cnbc.com
Trump imposes 'sweeping' new tariffs on 60 trade partners as global duties expire
The Trump administration has ramped its tariff actions back up since the president's trade agenda suffered major legal setbacks earlier this year.
cnbc.com
Shortsighted stock market can no longer brush off war: 'It's too hard to ignore $100 oil'
After staying flat as the U.S.-Iran war heated up again, equities tumbled on Thursday after oil prices crossed $100 per barrel.
cnbc.com
Intel rides AI boom to fastest revenue growth in almost 15 years, but shares sink
Intel's revenue jumped 25%, the most robust growth for any period since the third quarter of 2011.
bbc.co.uk
Faisal Islam: The UK's Trump trade deal no longer looks world-beating
While the US tariffs imposed on the UK are effectively unchanged, other countries now have a better deal.
theguardian.com
From high heels to ‘Zara death pants’: how fashion falls foul of women’s safety
A physio, a tailor and a historian on the style trends that can put women in hospital and how to avoid the dangers“Buyer beware” is one of the oldest principles in English law. Now, a pair of wide legged trousers from Zara is bringing the phrase back to the forefront of shoppers’ minds.On social media the £25.99 wide-legged trousers from the high-street retailer have earned the moniker “Zara death pants” thanks to a slew of videos showing wearers tripping over the leg of the trousers and injuring themselves. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
We split money equally even when one of us earned a lot more
Hannah and Max continued to pool finances after Max was made redundant but took "drastic measures" to cut spending.
cnbc.com
Russian attack cuts power to around 150,000 in Ukraine’s north as Kyiv hits missile, oil facilities
The update comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed strikes on a key missile components facility in the Russian city of Kirov.
cnbc.com
How a Chinese AI model stopped OpenAI’s ‘unprecedented’ cyber attack
The origin of the model Hugging Face used to combat the rogue AI is turning heads.
theguardian.com
Be skeptical of OpenAI’s rogue hacker agent story | John Thickstun
If OpenAI loudly proclaims how dangerous AI is, investors will hear how powerful it is. And who benefits from that?On 14 February 2019, OpenAI announced a language model called GPT-2, the precursor to the models that power modern AI chatbots and agents such as ChatGPT and Claude. But OpenAI declared GPT-2 was too risky to release, citing concerns about safety and abuse.I recall being annoyed at the time that OpenAI would make such a useless announcement: the risks seemed overblown, and without access to the model there wasn’t much for a researcher like me to learn about GPT-2. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Burnham urged to award £2.4bn military satellite contract to Airbus over US rival
Unite union leader says giving Skynet 6 WSS contract to Lockheed Martin would be a ‘massive mistake’Business live – latest updatesOne of the Labour party’s biggest union backers has called for Andy Burnham to award a £2.4bn military satellite contract to the European manufacturer Airbus rather than a US rival, Lockheed Martin, amid concerns that as many as 600 jobs may be at risk.Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the Unite union, said it would be a “massive mistake” to go for a US company over Airbus, which is headquartered in France but designs and builds satellites in Stevenage in Hertfordshire and Portsmouth in Hampshire. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil prices ease but are set for 10% weekly gain as Trump mulls 'bigger than ever' attack on Iran
Oil prices dropped by around 3% on Friday, but remained on track for a weekly jump of 10% as the U.S.-Iran war continued to escalate.
bbc.co.uk
US hits dozens of countries with new wave of tariffs
Imposed citing forced labour concerns, the levies replace a temporary global duty brought in after the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs in February.
theguardian.com
When is an apology not an apology? When it comes from an AI boss with an out-of-control chatbot | Marina Hyde
An incident in which an autonomous OpenAI agent hacked a startup either confirms that the end is nigh – or that the product is just amazingly sophisticatedThroughout history, many things have been seen by terrified populaces as a harbinger of doom. A comet. A crow on the battlefield. A solar eclipse. A mutant livestock birth. Yet times move on. In the modern era, the leading harbinger of doom is literally any picture of the OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, attached to a news story. You know it’s not going to be good, right? You know that by the time you’ve read it, you’ll be begging to go back to the time when the worst thing that could happen to us at the hands of the techlords was just some democracy-subversion, or childhood destruction, usually followed by Mark Zuckerberg putting on a suit and claiming: “We will learn from this.”Anyway: a lot of pictures of Sam Altman in the news of late. Most recently, this week, one darkened the skies alongside the tale of how an OpenAI autonomous agent went rogue during a supposedly sandboxed/guardrailed test, and hacked a major startup that functions as a repository of coding information. (I’m slightly obsessed with the fact that the startup in question is called Hugging Face, adding weight to my suspicion that some vast, tweely benign emoji is the last face humanity will see before it dies.)Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
New figures show costs rising for pensioners
They face 4.7% inflation - driven by steep rises in fuel and household service costs, report finds.
cnbc.com
Pentagon lowers official Iran war death toll, omitting four killed this month
The Pentagon lowered its official Iran war death toll to 14 from 18, removing four service members killed this month.
theguardian.com
Burnham urged to lobby EU leaders directly to waive EES border controls
Lib Dems call on PM to push for suspension of ‘bungled, malfunctioning’ system as overseas holiday travel peaksAndy Burnham has been urged to lobby EU leaders directly to suspend the new entry-exit system, EES, as the peak weekend for overseas holidays begins.About 2.2 million British holidaymakers are expected to head abroad between Friday and Monday, the majority to Europe, with all schools in the UK now on their summer break. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump's new global tariff draws rebukes from trade partners over forced labor justification
U.S. trading partners have rejected the forced labor rationale behind Trump's new global tariffs, while most signaled plans to keep negotiating.
theguardian.com
New York Chinatown fears impact of $8bn casino development, calling it ‘predatory project’
Residents warn project could worsen gambling addiction and raise rents, while developers promise jobsOn Main Street in Flushing’s Chinatown, shoppers weave between fruit stands, restaurants and family-run businesses that have served the New York City neighborhood for decades. But behind the bustle, many residents fear the working-class immigrant community is under threat from an $8bn casino development that could displace thousands of renters and force small businesses to close.“A predatory project is being dumped in our community that disproportionately harms our people,” said Jack Hu, 35, a Flushing resident and member of the No Casino in Flushing Meadows Corona Park campaign. “This community is really upset about this project and how it was pushed through without our consent.” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump considering a ‘massive attack’ on Iran as Tehran labels UK ‘accomplice’ to America
The president told Axios he was considering an operation "bigger than ever before."
theguardian.com
Trump’s latest tariffs put UK at disadvantage to EU, say experts
While overall levy for UK is unchanged, sectors not covered by Turnberry deal face tougher competitionBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s latest round of tariffs has put UK businesses at a disadvantage against the EU even though the overall tariff for British goods has not changed, experts have said.In the levies, announced late on Thursday and said to be aimed against countries that engage in forced labour, the EU’s previous 15% near blanket tariff is reduced to 10%, the same level as the tariff deal struck by Keir Starmer and Peter Mandelson last year. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Preston Bus still to decide on Burnham's £2 cap
The operator says it needs more details before deciding whether to join Andy Burnham's new scheme.
bbc.co.uk
Why are UK fuel prices rising again?
UK petrol and diesel prices are going up again as the price of oil returns to around $100 a barrel.
theguardian.com
Mass job cuts loom at VW as profits fall steeply on China sales slump
Carmaker expects to sell 3% fewer vehicles this year as it pushes through a programme that could eliminate 100,000 rolesVolkswagen has reported a steep fall in profits and cut its revenue forecast amid a sales slump in China, as the German carmaker pushes through a brutal cost-cutting programme that includes axeing up to 100,000 jobs.VW said it expects sales revenue to fall by up to 3% this year, a reversal of a previous forecast for a 3% increase on last year’s €321.9bn (£275.3bn), because of a sales slump in the highly competitive Chinese market. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Watch: Another day, more Trump tariffs - but are they working?
The BBC's Samira Hussain explains how President Trump's tariffs affect US economy, who pays the price, and whether they're working.
theguardian.com
‘The captain told me to wear a nappy on board’ – why is air travel so humiliating for disabled passengers?
From being abused by staff and other travellers to being denied access to toilets, flying is an increasingly distressing and frustrating experience for many wheelchair users. Here, they share their storiesWhen Hannah Babalola boarded KLM flight 598 on 26 May, she was tired. A Paralympic athlete, she had been competing at an event in South Africa’s Cape Town, and was hoping there would be no hold ups on her journey back home to Chicago.Babalola, 37, is well-travelled. A former wheelchair racer, she now competes in marathons and has flown to dozens of countries over the years without big problems. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
So many British people have it better than they think – it’s up to Burnham to make them see that | Polly Toynbee
A new survey suggests voters are becoming more cynical and pessimistic. A few goodwill gestures from No 10 won’t change all that – but it’s a startWho are we, the people Andy Burnham now governs? He inherits a miserable lot: grudging, angry pessimists, expecting the worst of all politicians, trusting no one to lead the country well, according to a long-running study. British folk feel the social contract is broken, they feel let down. Ignorant of basic facts, they are wilfully misled by malevolents.Over half a century of taking their pulse, Ipsos has collected data on shifting attitudes for the mighty Understanding Society, the largest longitudinal household study in the world, run by the Institute for Social and Economic Research. By chance, this latest national portrait will be the benchmark for Burnham’s era. Here are his people: can he make them feel better? In the end, that’s the great purpose of all politics: you can have good policies, make improvements, do your honest best, as Keir Starmer tried, but if you don’t make the people feel it, then it’s a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, as Paul told the Corinthians. Can Burnham lift up their hearts, a bit?Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Record heat sends online retail sales to five-year high in Great Britain
Soaring temperatures fuel demand for air conditioners and outdoor goods, helping retailers beat expectations in JuneBusiness live – latest updatesOnline sales reached their highest share of retail spending in five years last month as record heat fuelled demand for air conditioners, outdoor products and clothing.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain rose 1% month on month in June, beating analysts’ expectations of a 0.3% decline, helped by hot weather and World Cup spending. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK mortgage rates rise to highest level for a month
Renewed tensions in the Middle East feed through to the costs faced by lenders, pushing up borrowing costs.
bbc.co.uk
Scotch whisky levy lifted as Trump imposes new wave of US tariffs
The Scottish government welcomed the lifting of the 10% levy, which the US President agreed after the state visit of King Charles.
theguardian.com
Trump gifts Saudi Arabia a nuclear win | Politics Weekly America
Donald Trump has announced a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia while pressing ahead with efforts to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. What’s driving Trump’s new agreement with Riyadh? And how is it likely to be received at home and across the Gulf?Jonathan Freedland speaks to Robert Jimison, who covers Congress for the New York Times with a focus on defence and foreign policy, about what the agreement contains, why it matters and the political challenges it could face Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Burnham is acting like he’s mayor of everywhere – that’s not devolving power to local communities | Simon Jenkins
The new PM’s localism agenda doesn’t stop the UK being one of the most centralised countries in Europe. Can you imagine Meloni in charge of social care or Macron discussing buses?Was this a joke? Andy Burnham claimed on coming to office to be a localist. Not for the new prime minister the hotspots of the capital, of posh Downing Street and Whitehall. His were the squares of Manchester and the pavements of Wigan. The centre was the enemy of local democracy.Yet his first week in office has been consumed by one gratuitous intervention in local government after another. He gatecrashed a Westminster rough-sleeping centre and proclaimed a policy to end homelessness. He then decided to cap local bus fares, cut local pub business rates and build more social houses. For good measure, he would create a new national care service.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Tech titan ordered to pay ex-wife $644m in divorce settlement
The divorce, involving the chairman of one of South Korea's biggest companies, has gripped the nation.
theguardian.com
‘It’s become a nepo baby sport’: how secondhand fashion got so expensive
Thanks to gen Z resellers and platforms like Depop, thrifting has lost its subcultural roots - and ballooned into a $350bn businessVintage boutique owner Janelle Best has been rummaging in thrift shop bins since the 90s. When she started, she says, there was a stigma about it. “It was either you were a freak, or you were poor – and I was a freak.”At first, she did it to source stage outfits while playing in psych-rock bands. Then, in 2005, she started “casually reselling” on eBay. Ten years later she was trading as Desert Stars Vintage at street markets, and by 2023 she had opened a showroom specializing in upmarket silk dresses in her Williamsburg apartment. Even just a few years ago, she says, she still put in the hours at places like Goodwill. The bins, she says, “were a field day. There were so many fucking bangers.” And then, thrifting became a social media craze, she says, “and the hell gates of high school students flooded in. Twelve people to each bin. Everyone fighting. Suddenly everyone’s a reseller, and instead of these kids intuitively knowing what’s good, they’re on their phones trying to figure out if it’s valuable.” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Volkswagen CFO addresses plant closures, job losses as profits sink
German auto giant Volkswagen on Friday reported weaker-than-expected second-quarter profit and revised down its sales forecast for 2026.
theguardian.com
Regional mayors to take key roles in UK policy decisions as part of No 10 North plans
Burnham says ‘no one in government loses when power is shared’ as he revives Brown-era national economic councilIt’s not just a No 10 in the north, it’s an engine for growth throughout the whole UK | Andy BurnhamRegional mayors are to be given a leading role in the UK’s economic policy, Andy Burnham has said, as he called the opening of No 10 North “the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen”.The new prime minister has revived the national economic council [NEC], first set up by Gordon Brown to put the government on a war footing during the 2008 financial crash, arguing that economic growth requires the same level of urgency, focus and collective action. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
South Korea's president invokes dramatic Japan realty crash to push domestic property agenda
Lee was highlighting the country's excessive investment in real estate, and highlighted that Japan's housing market "burst like a balloon."
cnbc.com
U.S. to see higher generic drug prices thanks to tariffs, CEO of leading India pharma firm warns
CEO of Indian pharma company Dr Reddy's has warned that Trump's proposed tariffs on generic drugs will make them more expensive for patients.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Nations reject Trump's 'arbitrary' tariffs
There is an international backlash to President Trump's latest push to keep his tariff agenda alive, with his fresh move against American trading partners.
theguardian.com
One year, 17 towns, dozens of voices: what we heard along the coast of England and Wales
Reporting from some of the poorest seaside towns revealed how young people have been left isolated – but remain resilient and full of hopeIf you were asked to summon up images of the coastline of England and Wales, you might think of sunny days, buckets, spades and carefree holidays. But for many young people growing up by the sea, decades of evidence tell a very different story. For them, rather than a picture-perfect horizon full of hope, the sea has become a boundary that swallows up opportunity.With a 73% decline in funding for youth services in England over the past 12 years, and a lack of opportunities that has led to nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds not in work, education or training (Neet), the situation for young people, especially in places of deprivation, has never seemed more desperate. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘A small snippet’: what pubs make of Burnham’s £100m rates giveaway
Landlords say high costs of running hospitality business outweigh potential savings of business rates discountOne of Andy Burnham’s first policy measures as prime minister is a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues.The policy, announced on Thursday, is part of a broader agenda to support the high street and will cost £100m. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Homes with grand designs for sale in England and Scotland – in pictures
From an intricate bronze-like townhouse in Manchester to a sculptural property in the Essex countryside Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How much money do you give for a wedding gift?
You've been invited by the happy couple, but they've asked for cash - not presents. North Londoners tell us what they would do.
theguardian.com
‘Burnham bounce’ and World Cup lift mood in July, says data firm
‘Wave of optimism’ is sparked by prospect of new PM, England football team’s progress and hot weatherConsumer confidence in the UK jumped this month by its biggest margin for nearly three years as the prospect of Andy Burnham becoming prime minister became almost certain.The data company GfK said a “Burnham bounce” along with a strong run by the men’s England football team at the World Cup and sunny weather had lifted the mood of consumers in its long-running monthly survey. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S., other nations back open-source AI with 'strong security' at China summit
The APEC statement is the first to include open-source cooperation at a minister level, said Li Lecheng, China's industry and information technology minister.
cnbc.com
Japan core inflation rate in June creeps up from 4-year low as higher oil prices bite
This is the first rise in core inflation since March, and was in line with the1.6% growth expected by economists polled by Reuters.
cnbc.com
China's largest memory chipmaker sparks fears of a cash drain as it readies for public debut
CXMT is stoking fears that its blockbuster stock market debut could pull cash from China's equities.
theguardian.com
What to know about Trump’s new tariffs on more than 80 countries
Tariffs ranging from 10%-12.5%, taking effect on Friday, are US president’s latest effort to circumvent CongressJust before a temporary levy on global imports was set to expire, the Trump administration issued a fresh wave of tariffs on more than 80 countries late on Thursday, ranging from 10% to 12.5%. The new tariffs take effect on Friday morning.It’s Donald Trump’s latest effort to continue imposing global levies without congressional approval, despite the supreme court ruling in February that found the US president had illegally used his executive power to implement his global trade policies. Trump has long maintained that the US has been paying more than its fair share in tariffs, and that increased duties are necessary to boost American manufacturing and jobs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Qantas tests new ultra long-range Airbus in 17,000km direct flight from France to Melbourne
Airbus o50?1000ULR becomes most watched plane on flight tracking websites as Qantas tests new aircraft for its Project Sunrise Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQantas?s new ultra long-distance aircraft has landed on Australian soil for the first time on Friday after a 19-hour test flight from France.The Airbus o50-1000ULR, designed for Qantas to complete some of the longest commercial flights in the world, set off on a nonstop journey from Airbus? manufacturing facility Toulouse, France on Thursday, destined for Melbourne. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Amazon cracks down on use of AI images by sellers after New York law
A recently enacted New York law mandates that companies disclose when an ad includes a "synthetic performer" in place of a human actor.
cnbc.com
Allianz to buy HSBC’s Singapore insurance unit for $2.09 billion
Allianz to acquire Singapore insurance business from HSBC
cnbc.com
Intel's turnaround under CEO Lip-Bu Tan gains steam with another strong quarter
It's hard not to be impressed by Tan, who, in a little more than a year, has transformed the company.
bbc.co.uk
China's Moonshot AI stole from Anthropic, Trump tech adviser says
The allegations come as Chinese AI companies are facing increased US government scrutiny.
bbc.co.uk
UK complacent about war threat, warns BAE boss
The threat of attack has never been higher, the boss of Europe's biggest defence contractor has warned. Dr Charles Woodburn
bbc.co.uk
Tourist tax introduced in Edinburgh: How much is it and who pays?
The Scottish capital has become the first city in the country to introduce a charge for overnight stays.
theguardian.com
It’s not just a No 10 in the north, it’s an engine for growth throughout the whole UK | Andy Burnham
Power has been too centralised in Britain and tackling that is key to progress and prosperity. This initiative is ambitious: we’re remaking the stateAndy Burnham is prime minister of the United KingdomOn Monday, while the cameras were fixed on that famous black door in Downing Street, something important was happening 165 miles away. A small team of officials and advisers were walking into an office building in Manchester to set about the remaking of the British state.This was the beginning of No 10 North: the first major act of this government and what I hope will be seen as its most defining.Andy Burnham is the prime minister of the United KingdomDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Lawmakers push for AI 'kill switch' after OpenAI models go rogue
A new bill would let the US government order the shutdown of AI models that pose a public threat.
bbc.co.uk
Google and Tesla shares plunge as AI spending rattles markets
As major tech companies race to capitalize on a new wave of AI technology, investors wonder when financial benefits will appear.
cnbc.com
Cerebras stock gains on AMD partnership
Cerebras and AMD agreed to work together, pairing their technology for AI systems.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
What tech earnings reveal about AI investment and Donald Trump's tariff talks
cnbc.com
Tesla, Alphabet lose hundreds of billions in value in post-earnings stock plunge
Both Tesla and Alphabet signaled higher spending as they invest in artificial intelligence.
cnbc.com
Amazon and Microsoft pivot cloud gaming strategies to target different players
Amazon is bringing Luna to the Prime Video streaming service, while Microsoft will test an ad-supported streaming of titles that people own.
bbc.co.uk
Burnham says 20% business rates cut for English pubs 'a first step'
Some hospitality firms will get a discount from next April but hotels and restaurants won't get a cut.
cnbc.com
Congress splits on war powers resolutions to force Trump to abandon Iran war
Trump would be nearly certain to veto any measure to curtail his ability to wage war with Iran.
theguardian.com
Lobbying firm pressed for details about payments to journalists for favourable stories
MPs and others condemn behaviour of CT Group, which offered cash for positive coverage of clientsA political lobbying firm secretly paying journalists for articles favourable to its clients is facing calls to reveal full details of the payments, after the practice was denounced as a dangerous “attack on democracy”.MPs, senior lobbyists and transparency campaigners all condemned the behaviour of CT Group, the firm co-founded by the campaign strategist Lynton Crosby, an election guru previously hired by David Cameron and Boris Johnson. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia’s Amazon-style retail giant Wildberries is now in Ukraine’s crosshairs. Here's why
Ukraine has ratcheted up its attacks on Russia's Amazon-style retail giant, Wildberries, signaling a new phase in the war.
theguardian.com
Take Centrica’s gas storage warning seriously – Britain still needs secure supplies | Nils Pratley
One task awaiting new energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is devising a plan to avoid a crisis by the end of the decadeWelcome to the energy secretary job, Miatta Fahnbulleh. You have a politically tricky decision to make on whether to approve production at the Jackdaw gasfield and the Rosebank oilfield. But here’s another one that can’t wait much longer: what is the broader plan to ensure Britain avoids a gas supply crisis in 2030?By way of reminder, one of the more alarming reports published by the energy department under Ed Miliband was the one that warned of “an emerging risk” to gas supplies at the turn of the decade if an important piece of kit – an import terminal, say, or the critical 725-mile Langeled pipeline from Norway – were to be out of the action during a severe cold snap. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Gary Lineker calls for Burnham to introduce wealth tax - The Latest
Millionaires including former footballer Gary Lineker are asking Andy Burnham to tax their wealth more. More than 100 wealthy Brits have signed an open letter to the prime minister, saying: ‘We want you to tax us. We can afford it.’ So should the government introduce a wealth tax? And why is the idea getting more popular? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to columnist and senior economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Customers prefer AI chatbots,’ says British Gas owner as 1,300 call centre jobs axed
CEO Chris O’Shea defends Centrica’s plans as it reports rise in retail profits following focus on bigger marginsThe owner of British Gas has claimed that most households would rather speak with an AI chatbot than deal with the company’s staff as it prepares to cut 1,300 jobs from its call centres.Centrica, the supplier’s FTSE 100 owner, plans to cut 800 jobs as the company carries out a “targeted deployment of AI tools”, on top of the 500 cuts it confirmed last month. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Gary Lineker among millionaires asking Andy Burnham to tax them more
A group including the former England footballer write to the new PM telling him "we can afford it".
theguardian.com
How the Bab al-Mandab blockade threat helped push oil back above $100
Escalating Houthi warnings to ships carrying Saudi crude through the strait lead to fears of further price surgeA fresh front in the Middle East crisis opened this week, bringing a return of soaring global energy markets and stoking fears that the oil price could surge to $120 (£90) a barrel.In a matter of days the price of Brent crude has jumped by more than 13%, breaching the $100 a barrel mark on Thursday after Yemen’s Houthi militias took aim at a new target: Saudi oil exports via the Bab al-Mandab strait. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Oil prices hit $100 for the first time since May
The price of Brent crude rose more than 6% on Thursday as the war in the Middle East continues to escalate.
bbc.co.uk
Pubs cheer business rates relief while other firms 'left out in the cold'
Pubs welcomed the support package, while other High Street firms asked why they were left out.
cnbc.com
Traders see September rate hike as European Central Bank mulls energy price spike
ECB president Christine Lagarde said the bank anticipates inflation to remain "well above target" until the first half of 2027.
theguardian.com
UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August
Law change means renters and flat owners may be able to cut bills as energy costs soar amid Iran warBritish households will be able to buy plug-in solar panels later this summer after the government changed the law so the UK’s biggest retailers could bring them to market for the first time.People across the country will be able to join the millions across Europe generating their own electricity using “balcony solar panels” from 27 August, according to legislation passed last week. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump says U.S. will hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks after oil tankers targeted in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthis said they had targeted two Saudi oil tankers with drones and missiles for allegedly violating its maritime blockade.
bbc.co.uk
The Bottom Line
What was the best business move of the last 12 months and who made the biggest blunder?
bbc.co.uk
Airport drop-off fees up by a third - here are the priciest
The cost of parking closest to the terminal has hit £10 at two of the UK's airports.
cnbc.com
Moonshot AI accessed Nvidia's chips despite Chinese export ban, White House official says
A White House official said Moonshot AI, which released the powerful Kimi K3 model last week, accessed Nvidia's GB300 chips in Thailand.
theguardian.com
Space datacenters proposed by Musk and Bezos ‘catastrophic’ for planet, experts warn
New US petition demands review of plans from tech companies amid fears of environmental destructionSpace datacenters proposed by SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and others would release staggering levels of pollution that would probably alter the Earth’s atmosphere and be “catastrophic” for the planet, space industry experts and environmental groups warn in a new petition demanding a review of their impacts.Tech companies have collectively proposed millions of “orbital datacenters” and are pressing forward with plans, which require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. Among other issues, pollution from satellites and rockets burning up upon re-entry appears to be accumulating in the stratosphere at alarming levels. The spacecraft release black soot, rare metals, aluminum oxides and other pollutants with unknown effects. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
What about cuts for cafes and hotels?
The new PM has announced at 20% business rate cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England,
bbc.co.uk
What we know about 20% cut to some business rates
Pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will get a 20% cut in business rates from April.
cnbc.com
'Project Firepower': Inside Rheinmetall's gunpowder expansion as Europe races to replenish its ammunition
Scarcity of gunpowder is seen as a choke point for ramping up production of ammunition for militaries, and a barrier for Europe to ensure defense sovereignty
bbc.co.uk
Firm hacked by rogue OpenAI models says it is 'a wake-up call'
A co-founder of start-up Hugging Face told the BBC that most firms are not aware that the "game has changed".
bbc.co.uk
Big bosses reveal the secret to getting hired
Business leaders share their best career advice and the qualities they look for when recruiting new staff.
cnbc.com
Gen Z protests led by India’s 'Cockroach party' are testing Modi’s leadership
Student protests organized by a pseudo-political outfit, Cockroach Janta Party, are gaining momentum as they challenge the political establishment.
theguardian.com
‘People are scared their neighbours will call the police on them’: how the hosepipe ban got caught up in the culture wars
While many people in the UK recognise the need to preserve water, others are furious and planning to flout the ban in their area. The target of their anger? Failing water companies and frighteningly thirsty datacentres‘Plants are like your babies,” says Harry. And accordingly, he argues, most people would do anything to keep them alive, including break the law. This is what he plans to do this week – defying a hosepipe ban in place across large parts of England, to ensure his shrubs maintain a steady pulse.He may not be alone. On Tuesday, Thames Water became the latest company to ban hosepipes – a restriction that will affect more than 10 million people. Since mid-July, Welsh Water, Anglian Water, Affinity Water (serving Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Surrey), Southern Water and Cambridge Water have all announced hosepipe bans. And earlier this week, South East Water extended its existing ban to cover an additional 1.5 million. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
These Japanese AI winners don’t make chips. They make toilets, glass fiber and seasoning
A toilet maker, a glass fiber manufacturer and the maker of MSG have in Japan have become major beneficiaries of the AI boom.
theguardian.com
What does the BBC do for you? – podcast
Media critic Mark Lawson discusses with Nosheen Iqbal why even the BBC director general has lost faith in the current licence fee model, and explore what options the national broadcaster has to secure fundingOn Sunday night, the BBC rebooted an advert based on one it first aired 40 years ago. In the new version the presenter Romesh Ranganathan pretends he is a disgruntled licence fee payer, asking the question: “What has the BBC ever done for me?” Some of the national broadcaster’s biggest stars then make the case for its existence and ask for the public to keep funding it.The ad has aired not long after the BBC’s new director general, Matt Brittin, said the organisation was in “real jeopardy” due to a faster-than-predicted decline in licence fee payments. But what is the alternative to the old model? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘A statement of freedom’: T-shirt slogan goes viral and book sales rocket in Taiwan after Hong Kong raids
Taiwanese people look on with concern at fate of Hong Kong’s independent booksellers, after series of arrests in recent monthsWalking out of one of Hong Kong’s last remaining independent bookstores, hands behind her back but head held high, the woman’s T-shirt was emblazoned with a simple slogan: “I am a bookstore employee”.Escorted by police, the woman was among five people arrested during raids on two bookstores last week, suspected of displaying and selling publications with “seditious” content, a national security crime which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Some food prices have fallen – but inflation expected to rise from here
June's fall in inflation will be welcomed by the new prime minister but analysts warn the fall is temporary.
theguardian.com
‘If all else fails, sue’: how ultra-processed food firms are using the courts to obstruct health rules
Exclusive: Global investigation reveals 235 lawsuits have been brought against governments in five countries since 2010The world’s biggest ultra-processed food companies have filed scores of lawsuits challenging government policies that tackle junk diets, the Guardian can reveal.Ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked to harm in every major organ system of the human body and poses a seismic threat to global health. Worldwide consumption is rising and UPF now makes up as much as half the average diet in many countries, including the UK, the US and Australia. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Risking blackouts’? How Great Britain’s grid operator was dragged into a political row
Neso denies allegations aired by Tory MP that staff took part in cover-up over decision-making in heatwaveIn a control room in Wokingham, Berkshire, staff work around the clock, minute by minute, to align Great Britain’s fluctuating power supplies with its ever-changing demand.However, as households struggle to adapt to soaring summer temperatures, staff at the government-owned National Energy System Operator (Neso), tasked with keeping the lights on, have faced the kind of challenge usually reserved for the country’s coldest winter nights in recent weeks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I fell in love with the art of coffee-making’: the female baristas shaking up Somalia’s booming cafe scene
As fear and fighting ease in Mogadishu, coffee shops have become catalysts for change, bringing jobs for women and creating much-needed social spacesEvery morning at six, Saabiriin Hassan slips on her apron as she takes her place behind the counter at Cplus Cafe in the heart of Mogadishu. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, but it is Hassan’s ever-present smile that draws the attention first.It stays with her every move – from grinding beans and steaming milk to chatting with customers. Hassan is among the first female baristas in Somalia, serving coffee and helping a new cafe culture take root in a capital city once only known for conflict. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham to cut tax on electricity to ease cost of living - video
The prime minister told his new cabinet in its first meeting that the government will be a 'cost-of-living government' and needs to examine 'all possible ways' to help families struggling with high costs. The new prime minister announced an £850m tax cut on electricity bills in his first significant policy announcement Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Our streets are full of oversized cars | Brief letters
Carspreading | An interregnum | Served by Thames Water | Manchesterism | Gransplaining | Cold in YorkshireRe “carspreading” (Opinion, 12 July), my wife and I live in a neighbourhood of houses built just before the second world war, and have watched in horror as models of our favoured cars have increased in size. Having chosen to keep our Mini Cooper and VW Polo – both of 2016 vintage – I believe we are the only people in the locality who store both cars in the garage overnight.John PyeSouthampton• A “period between reigns” (Quick crossword, 13 July) is an interregnum, not a regency as your solution has it. A regency occurs when a monarch is deemed incapable of carrying out his/her duties and they are taken over by a regent.Peter WrigleyBirstall, West Yorkshire Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We were at their mercy’: inside the Amazon tactics that hiked prices across the internet
Internal emails revealed in court and interviews with ex-employees describe how Amazon’s practices drove up prices for competitors like Walmart and Target. Amazon denies price-fixing claims and says it works to lower costs for consumersA “modern leather” table lamp, listed online at Walmart, shot up from $24.99 to $39. The price of an air fryer on a retail site called Newegg went from $84.99 to $149.99.An electric ice-cream maker was listed at just $17.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. Then it became unavailable at Best Buy, and more than tripled in price to $59.99 at Amazon. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What will Andy Burnham’s VAT cut on electricity bills mean for you?
New prime minister is implementing immediate tax cut to help ease cost of living pressures for British householdsAndy Burnham to cut VAT on electricity bills as first cost of living moveHousehold electricity bills for people in Great Britain will not attract VAT for six months, under the first of a series of cost of living measures announced by the new prime minister, Andy Burnham. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
British Gas mixed up our energy meter – but now I’m being penalised
When the problem was finally sorted out in our new-build home, it increased my tariff by 19%Residents in our new housing development are being billed for each other’s energy after the meters were mixed up.I realised British Gas was sending bills for my energy to the developer of the estate instead of to me. I informed British Gas of my details when I moved in seven months ago. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The 20-somethings betting big on tech stocks
The BBC hears from people about the risks and rewards of investing in technology shares.
bbc.co.uk
This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't
Colombians who grow cocaine's raw material bemoan a lack of support to help them switch crops.
bbc.co.uk
Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?
Food tracking apps are popular, but are they a good way to make us eat a healthier diet?
bbc.co.uk
New era for Gibraltar with removal of 118-year-old border controls with Spain
It is hoped that free movement between the UK territory and Spain will provide an economic boost.
bbc.co.uk
Wealthy AI workers send San Francisco house prices soaring
The median cost of a home in the city is now $1.7m, a record high, according to the latest figures.
bbc.co.uk
Robots available for rent: But what can they do?
Robotics tech is changing fast, so for many it makes sense to rent a robot.
bbc.co.uk
AI is 'not smart' so what's next in artificial intelligence?
Leading AI researcher Yan LeCun has a start-up which is developing a more flexible AI system.
bbc.co.uk
Why is crucial tech vulnerable to the heat?
Energy grids and train services are among the vital services that are vulnerable to very hot weather.
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
bbc.co.uk
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
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